ALBANY - Hampton Bays Middle School, Sleepy Hollow Middle School, and Bethlehem Central Middle School are among 78 schools named U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools. New York State is among 29 states and D.C. with schools receiving the first-ever awards.

"Science and environmental education play a central role in providing children with a well-rounded education that prepares them for the jobs of the future," said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.  "Green Ribbon Schools demonstrate compelling examples of the ways schools can expand their coursework while also helping children build real world skill sets, cut school costs, and provide healthy learning environments."

U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) is a federal recognition program that opened in September 2011. Honored schools exercise a comprehensive approach to creating "green environments through reducing environmental impact, promoting health, and ensuring" a high-quality environmental and outdoor education to prepare students with the 21st century skills and sustainability concepts needed in the growing global economy.